Enjoying Life in Georgia - Southern Style
My Favorite Activity in Cumming, Georgia
There is a funny saying that goes around here in the heart of Dixie; "I wasn't born in the south, but Honey, I got here as fast as I could!" That pretty much describes me. I was born a Yankee and lived "up north" for the first 24 years of my life. After marrying a southern young man, he soon carried his bride across the Mason-Dixon line.
After being married to this southern man for more than 40 years, I have now lived nearly half my life in the south. I learned to make my own biscuits from scratch. And, something that is about the equivalent of being a card carrying member of the deep south, I am a regular subscriber to Southern Living magazine. I can also drawl out my sentences almost as well as those who were born in the south.
The greatest pleasure for me in this southern neighborhood is not found in the many parks, lakes and streams of the area. Oh no, my greatest pleasure comes from sitting in the swing on my own front porch. Believe me, there is nothing more southern than a front porch!
I love to begin my day in a slow, relaxed, southern way. I brew a fresh pot of coffee and still in bathrobe and slippers, pad my way out to my favorite spot on the front porch. My porch swing has a soft, comfy cushion and in-between the two seats there is a great place to set my coffee cup. The swing has a nice squeaking sound as I swing to and fro. This comforting sound only enhances the whole porch-sitting experience.
From my porch, I can watch a variety of birds as they come to the bird feeders each morning. Yesterday I also noticed a mother rabbit with a young one following her as she nibbled some grass and weeds growing along the edge of the gravel driveway. A couple of days ago I spotted a pair of wild turkeys trying to find a way to get across the road and back into the woodland. From time to time, I see deer as they come out of that same woodland and make their way across the road and into our front yard. The pleasures of sitting on my porch are so many and varied.
I sit quietly and enjoy my morning coffee as I watch all the "worker bee" neighbors heading out of our neighborhood to work. Since my husband and I are now retired, we sit on our front porch and wave good-bye to our working friends, smiling and reminding ourselves about how great it is to be sitting here and not going off to work any more.
There are many wonderful places to go for recreation in this area, but one of the most satisfying places for me is my southern-style front porch. When I am gone from home for a few days, I find myself longing for the peace and comfort of my front porch. It is always there to welcome me back home as I, once again, sit in its embrace.
I've watched a number of programs on TV that show people going off to other countries in search of a vacation or retirement home. Once they have found the place that fits their needs, they almost always say something like, "This is a great place to sit outside in the morning and enjoy my coffee". I don't need to travel half-way around the world to find a great place to sit and enjoy my coffee. It is always waiting for me just outside my front door.
Published by Vicki Messer
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4 Comments
Post a CommentThis brings back memories. I grew up in an old house with a huge porch and swing in a small town. Almost all my friends lived in newer houses, but they liked to come to my house for the swing.
That is the life! I loved swinging on my grandmother's front porch glider; a quiet small street with a bit of country still around back then. My sister has the swing, but it is on the back deck. When visiting we tend to have our morning coffee out back, but also sit on the front, um, it hardly can be described as porch, level with the house, patio, maybe, to have evening coffee or other beverage, chatting way past dark. All up north, however!
Great article~I felt like I was sitting on the porch with you~My husband and I are northerners but retired to the south and it's a one way move for us:-)
Sounds nice, y'all.